PALS Pharmacology 5

Question 1

A 7-year-old with known asthma is in severe bronchospasm not responding to albuterol. Which PALS medication is considered next?

Accepted Answer

Magnesium sulfate IV

Answer

IV magnesium sulfate (25–50 mg/kg, max 2 g) is indicated for severe or life-threatening asthma refractory to bronchodilators.

Question 2

Dobutamine is preferred over dopamine in cardiogenic shock because dobutamine primarily:

Accepted Answer

Increases cardiac contractility with less tachycardia and vasoconstriction

Answer

Dobutamine is a beta-1 agonist that improves cardiac output without the excessive tachycardia or vasoconstriction seen with higher dopamine doses.

Question 3

A 10-year-old girl receives glucose 0.5–1 g/kg for symptomatic hypoglycemia. What concentration is typically used for IV administration in older children?

Accepted Answer

D25W (25%)

Answer

D25W (25% dextrose) is typically used for older children, while D10W is preferred for neonates and infants to avoid hyperosmolarity.

Question 4

Which of the following is the correct second dose of adenosine if the first dose fails to convert SVT?

Accepted Answer

0.2 mg/kg (maximum 12 mg)

Answer

If the first dose of adenosine (0.1 mg/kg) fails, the second dose is doubled to 0.2 mg/kg, with a maximum of 12 mg.

Question 5

A child receives epinephrine via endotracheal tube (ETT) because no IV/IO access is available. The correct ETT dose compared to IV is:

Accepted Answer

10 times the IV dose

Answer

ETT epinephrine dose is 10 times the IV dose (0.1 mg/kg) because absorption via the lung is unreliable and IV/IO is strongly preferred.

PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support Practice Test

PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support Practice Test

PALS Pharmacology 5